Constant-volume variable-viscosity material dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for dispensing a constant volume of slush in a fixed time including a source of slush, a dispensing chamber having a nozzle outlet, means for positively feeding slush into the dispensing chamber from the source of slush, a selectively operable check valve within the dispensing chamber for opening and closing the nozzle outlet, an impeller in the dispensing chamber, a bypass passage in the dispenser chamber for feeding excess slush in the dispensing chamber back to the source of slush, and means for opening the check valve and rotating the impeller for a predetermined time.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Foy J. Nevans 22206 Raymond, St. Clair Shores, Mich. 48082 [21] Appl. No. 863,144 [22] Filed Oct. 2, 1969 [45] Patented Sept. 28, 1971 [54] CONSTANT-VOLUME VARIABLE-VISCOSITY MATERIAL DISPENSING APPARATUS 7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 222/73, 222/146 C, 222/318 [51] lnt.Cl B67d 5/16 [50] Field of Search 222/70, 72, 205, 256, 318, 71, 73,146 C, 261, 333

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,886,215 5/1959 Klein 222/256 3,159,190 12/1964 Skiera 222/318 X 3,377,000 4/1968 Mason 222/318 X 3,456,839 7/1969 Glisenti 222/70 Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Thomas E. Kocovsky Attorney-Whittemore, Hulbert & Belknap ABSTRACT: Apparatus for dispensing a constant volume of slush in a fixed time including a source of slush, a dispensing chamber having a nozzle outlet, means for positively feeding slush into the dispensing chamber from the source of slush, a selectively operable check valve within the dispensing chamber for opening and closing the nozzle outlet, an impeller in the dispensing chamber, a bypass passage in the dispenser chamber for feeding excess slush in the dispensing chamber back to the source of slush, and means for opening the check valve and rotating the impeller for a predetermined time.

PATENIED sP2s m1 INVENTOR. O J. NEVANS ATTORNEYS CONSTANT-VOLUME VARIABLE-VISCOSITY MATERIAL DISPENSING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention The invention relates to dispensing and refers more specifically to apparatus for dispensing a constant volume of ice granules of slush on actuation of the apparatus for a predetermined time which is particularly simple, economical and efficient. Means are also provided for feeding flavors into the dispensed slush as the slush is being dispensed.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the past, it has not been possible to dispense an exact quantity of low-viscosity material such as ice creams, custards, crushed ice, slush and the like from dispensing apparatus in a predetermined length of time due to changes in the flowability of the material occasioned by intermittent operation of dispensing apparatus, morning starting and the like. Therefore, in order to meet regulations formulated by government agencies, it has in the past been necessary to dispense a minimum requirement of material at the maximum viscosity thereof so that a considerably greater quantity than necessary has been dispensed with the material at a lower viscosity.

Previously, attempts to overcome the noted difficulty in dispensing low-viscosity materials have included expensive weighing apparatus, measured charge dispensing, and the like, all of which are unsatisfactory due to their complicated nature, relatively frequent need for maintenance and/or expense.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, there is provided apparatus for dispensing a predetermined quantity of slush each time a dispensing valve is opened for a predeten'nined period, which structure is particularly simple, economical and efficient. The dispensing apparatus includes an impeller in a dispensing chamber for the slush operable in conjunction with a check valve related to a discharge nozzle for the dispensing chamber so as to open and close the discharge nozzle for controlling the volume of slush dispensed each time the nozzle is opened by the check valve for a predetermined time substantially without regard to the variations in viscosity of the slush. A bypass passage is provided in the chamber for returning excess slush to a source of slush positively feeding into the dispensing chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded view of slush dispensing apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevation view of the body member of the slush dispensing apparatus of the invention, with the check valve assembled therein and flavor dispensing structure attached thereto, taken substantially on the line 22 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial section view of the body member of the slush dispensing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 taken substantially on the line 33 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partly broken away perspective view of a source of slush to which slush dispensing apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 1 is secured.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The slush dispensing apparatus is shown connected to a cylinder 12 which is a source of ice granules known in the beverage-dispensing trade as slush. Equipment including slush-making cylinder '12 are known in the dispensing trade and will, therefore, not be considered in detail herein. The particular cylinder 12 includes an auger 14 therein operable on rotation thereof by motor means (not shown) to force slush therein out through the opening 16 in the cover 18 thereof which is secured to the body of the cylinder 12 by convenient means such as bolts 38 extending through openings 20.

The slush-dispensing structure 10 includes the body member 22 having a dispensing chamber 24 therein receiving the impeller 26. The body member 22 further includes the hollow cylindrical portion 28 opening into the dispensing chamber 24 and receiving the hollow cylindrical portion 30 of the cover 18 in sealing engagement.

The impeller 26 is rotatably mounted on plate 32 to which the motor 34 for rotating the impeller 26 is secured. The motor 34, which may be electric, is energized through the electrical cord 36 to rotate the impeller 26 within the dispensing chamber 24.

The plate 32 and motor 34 are secured together and are secured to the body member 22 which is in turn secured to the cover 18 with the hollow cylindrical portion 30 of the cover inserted within the hollow cylindrical portion 28 of the body members 22 by the bolts 38 extending through the openings 40 in the body member 22 and through the openings 20 in the cover 18. The bolts 38 are secured in position by wing nuts 42. Sealing between the plate 32 and body member 22 and between the body member 22 and cover 18 is provided by sealing rings 39 and 41 respectively.

The impeller 26 includes four separate vanes in the modification illustrated in FIG. 1, which vanes extend radially outwardly into close proximity with the cylindrical walls of the dispensing chamber 24. A disc portion 44 is provided on the impeller 26, having openings 46 therethrough, which fits within the inner diameter 48 of the hollow cylindrical portion 28 of the body member 22. The slush from the opening 16 in the cover 18 of the cylinder 12 must thus pass through the openings 46 in the disc 44 to enter the dispensing chamber 24.

A bypass passage 50 is provided in the body member 22 for bypassing slush within the dispensing chamber 24 back to the cylinder 12 side of the disc 44 on excessive buildup or pressure in the dispensing chamber 24 on rotation of the impeller 26.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a nozzle opening 52 is provided in the body member 22 and in a cylindrical nozzle projection 54 thereon having an annular recess 56 around the end thereof. I-Iollow nozzle 58 is provided with opposed slots 60 in the sides thereof and is adapted to fit over the nozzle projections 54 on the body member 22 and to be retained thereon by the spring wire 62.

The check valve 64 is provided in the dispensing chamber 24 and is pivotally mounted in the body member 22 at end 66. The lever 68 is rotatably mounted in the body member 22 in the bearing 70 and is rigidly secured to the valve 64 so that on rotation of the lever 68, the valve 64 will be moved to open or close the nozzle opening 52 in the body member 22. Lever 68 is rotated by means of the electrically actuated solenoid 70 and the link 72 which is connected to the solenoid armature 75. The solenoid 70 may be energized by an electrical signal over conductors 72 for any predetermined time.

Flanges 74 and 76 having openings 78 therethrough extend outwardly from the body member 22 to receive the flavor dispensing hoses 80 and 82 which terminate adjacent the bottom of the nozzle 58 to permit dispensing of flavors into the slush as it is dispensed from the nozzle 58.

In overall operation of the dispensing apparatus 10, slush is urged through the opening 16 and through the openings 46 in the disc 44 by the auger 14 in the cylinder 12. In each dispensing cycle the valve 64 is opened by means of the solenoid 70 and the motor 34 rotates the impeller 26. Slush in the dispensing chamber 24 is thus urged toward the nozzle opening 52 and thus out of the dispensing nozzle 58.

The impeller 26 maintains a substantially constant pressure head on the slush in the dispensing chamber 24 for any given viscosity of slush in the chamber 24. It is hypothesized that the pressure in the chamber 24 may be either greater or less depending on the state of the slush in the chamber 24. Thus, if the slush is less fluid, less of the slush will be returned to the opening 16 through the passage 50 and a higher pressure will be maintained in the dispensing chamber 24 to force a predetermined quantity of slush from the nozzle 58. If the slush is more fluid, more of the slush will be returned through the bypass 50 so that the pressure in the dispensing chamber 24 will be less.

Therefore, since the pressure in the dispensing chamber 24 is inversely related to the fluidity of the slush in the dispensing chamber 24, substantially the same quality of slush will be forced through the dispensing nozzle 58 even though the viscosity of the slush changes. Thus, with the dispensing apparatus 10, a more uniform quantity of slush may be dispensed over a wide range of slush viscosity.

As previously indicated, as the slush is dispensed from the nozzle 58, flavors from flavor reservoirs (not shown) may be added directly into the slush as it is dispensed from nozzle 58 through the flavor-dispensing tubes 80 and 82.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. Slush-dispensing structure comprising a source of slush, a slush dispensing chamber, means operably associated with the source of slush and dispensing chamber for feeding the slush from the source of slush into the dispensing chamber, a nozzle communicating with the dispensing chamber for discharge of slush from the dispensing chamber, valve means operably associated with the nozzle for closing the nozzle at predetermined times to prevent discharge of slush therethrough, means within the discharge chamber for providing a substantially uniform pressure on slush passed into the dispensing chamber and for moving the slush toward the nozzle at the uniform pressure for discharge from said nozzle on the valve means being opened, and means positioned within the dispensing chamber for relieving the pressure on the slush at the nozzle in accordance with the fluidity of the slush at the nozzle.

2. Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the dispensing chamber is cylindrical and the means for providing a uniform pressure on the slush comprises an impeller positioned in the dispensing chamber and means for rotating the impeller to provide a centrifugal force on the slush at the periphery of the cylindrical dispensing chamber.

3. Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the valve means comprises a pivotally mounted closure member positioned within the dispensing chamber operable in one position thereof to close the nozzle through the slush is discharged from the dispensing chamber and solenoid actuating means for pivoting the closure member into and out of the one position thereof.

4. Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for relieving the pressure at the discharge nozzle comprises a bypass passage extending from adjacent the discharge nozzle to the source of slush whereby slush is returned to the source of slush in accordance with the fluidity of the slush to relieve the predetermined pressure of the slush at the discharge nozzle.

5. Slush-dispensing structure comprising a source of slush including slush making and storing structure having a discharge portion, means within the slush making and storing structure for discharging the slush therefrom under pressure through the discharge portion, a dispensing chamber including a first cylindrical portion for receiving the discharge portion of the source of slush and a second cylindrical portion for receiving an impeller, an impeller positioned within the dispensing chamber including a disc having openings therethrough positioned over the first cylindrical portion of the discharge chamber for limiting flow of slush into the enlarged portion of the dispensing chamber, motor means connected to the impeller for rotating the impeller within the dispensing chamber, a slush discharge nozzle in communication with the second portion of the dispensing chamber and extending transversely of the axis of rotation of the impeller, a pivotally mounted valve member within the second portion of the dispensing chamber, means for pivoting the valve member into and out of a closing relation to the slush discharge nozzle and a bypass passage within the second portion of the dispensing chamber extending from adjacent the discharge nozzle to the first portion of the dispensing chamber on the source of slush side of the impeller disc located just after the slush dischar e nozzle with respect to the direction of rotation of the impel er within the dispensing chamber whereby pressure on the slush at the slush discharge nozzle is relieved in accordance with the fluidity of the slush from the source to provide a substantially constant volume of dispensed slush for a constant period of opening of the valve and operation of the impeller with different viscosity slush.

6. Structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein the means for selectively moving the valve means into and out of closing relation to the discharge nozzle within the dispensing chamber is a solenoid operated mechanical linkage.

7. Structure as set forth in claim 6 and further including means operably associated with the nozzle for dispensing flavors into the slush as it is dispensed from the nozzle. 

1. Slush-dispensing structure comprising a source of slush, a slush dispensing chamber, means operably associated with the source of slush and dispensing chamber for feeding the slush from the source of slush into the dispensing chamber, a nozzle communicating with the dispensing chamber for discharge of slush from the dispensing chamber, valve means operably associated with the nozzle for closing the nozzle at predetermined times to prevent discharge of slush therethrough, means within the discharge chamber for providing a substantially uniform pressure on slush passed into the dispensing chamber and for moving the slush toward the nozzle at the uniform pressure for discharge from said nozzle on the valve means being opened, and means positioned within the dispensing chamber for relieving the pressure on the slush at the nozzle in accordance with the fluidity of the slush at the nozzle.
 2. Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the dispensing chamber is cylindrical and the means for providing a uniform pressure on the slush comprises an impeller positioned in the dispensing chamber and means for rotating the impeller to provide a centrifugal force on the slush at the periphery of the cylindrical dispensing chamber.
 3. Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the valve means comprises a pivotally mounted closure member positioned within the dispensing chamber operable in one position thereof to close the nozzle through the slush is discharged from the dispensing chamber and solenoid actuating means for pivoting the closure member into and out of the one position thereof.
 4. Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for relieving the pressure at the discharge nozzle comprises a bypass passage extending from adjacent the discharge nozzle to the source of slush whereby slush is returned to the source of slush in accordance with the fluidity of the slush to relieve the predetermined pressure of the slush at the discharge nozzle.
 5. Slush-dispensing structure comprising a source of slush including slush making and storing structure having a discharge portion, means within the slush making and storing structure for discharging the slush therefrom under pressure through the discharge portion, a dispEnsing chamber including a first cylindrical portion for receiving the discharge portion of the source of slush and a second cylindrical portion for receiving an impeller, an impeller positioned within the dispensing chamber including a disc having openings therethrough positioned over the first cylindrical portion of the discharge chamber for limiting flow of slush into the enlarged portion of the dispensing chamber, motor means connected to the impeller for rotating the impeller within the dispensing chamber, a slush discharge nozzle in communication with the second portion of the dispensing chamber and extending transversely of the axis of rotation of the impeller, a pivotally mounted valve member within the second portion of the dispensing chamber, means for pivoting the valve member into and out of a closing relation to the slush discharge nozzle and a bypass passage within the second portion of the dispensing chamber extending from adjacent the discharge nozzle to the first portion of the dispensing chamber on the source of slush side of the impeller disc located just after the slush discharge nozzle with respect to the direction of rotation of the impeller within the dispensing chamber whereby pressure on the slush at the slush discharge nozzle is relieved in accordance with the fluidity of the slush from the source to provide a substantially constant volume of dispensed slush for a constant period of opening of the valve and operation of the impeller with different viscosity slush.
 6. Structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein the means for selectively moving the valve means into and out of closing relation to the discharge nozzle within the dispensing chamber is a solenoid operated mechanical linkage.
 7. Structure as set forth in claim 6 and further including means operably associated with the nozzle for dispensing flavors into the slush as it is dispensed from the nozzle. 